VOTER GUIDE

Voters will take to the polls Tuesday for this year’s statewide primary election.

The 46th Congressional District, held by U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher since 1989, has a contested primary on both the Republican and Democratic sides.

Rohrabacher faces lawyer Ron St. John, while Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook faces business technology consultant Dan Kalmick. The Independent has asked all four candidates in contested primaries about their stances on issues, compiled in this voter guide.

Republicans can vote only in a Republican primary, and Democrats can vote only in a Democratic primary. Voters who haven’t registered as a member of any party (“decline to state” voters), however, may request either ballot at the polls.

For information on your polling place, go to www.smartvoter.org.

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES

DANA ROHRABACHER

IRAQ

“We should make sure the Iraqis are picking up their share of the burden and eventually be equipped to handle the entire load of their own security. Until then, they should be paying all the expenses incurred by our military.”

IMMIGRATION

“First and foremost, we should not be allowing people to come into this country illegally and those who do manage to get in should be denied all health, education and other public benefits, especially social security. If any government authority at any level, determines someone is here illegally, they should work in cooperation with the federal government to deport them.”

LOCAL ECONOMY

“A craft program should be designed to develop domestic energy resources to include oil, gas, nuclear energy and renewables like solar. It’s also important to keep taxes and regulations at a low enough level to permit our residents to prosper.”

FUEL PRICES

“We need to dramatically develop domestic energy resources in order to increase supply and reduce prices and make sure our laws concerning energy technology protect innovators.”

RON ST. JOHN

IRAQ

“The terrorists’ war against us is real and our troops need to stay as long as it is necessary for our national defense. We should support our troops, including their commander-in-chief, and not use this issue for partisan politics. The occupation is not permanent and everyone favors eventual withdrawal.”

IMMIGRATION

“Illegal immigration is a plague that hurts our security and finances, but legal immigration is a great blessing. We should sort out the workers from the criminals and be sure that the workers have a decent legal status. Enforcement should be directed at integrating new immigrants into our taxpaying system.”

LOCAL ECONOMY

“The federal government needs to balance the budget with spending cuts. This will improve the value of our currency and make more capital available for home loans and investment in jobs. Our economy thrives when government stays out of the way and acts responsibly with public funds.”

FUEL PRICES

“Price fluctuations are needed so the market can respond to changes in supply and demand, in this case encouraging conservation and the development of alternative sources of energy. Government should not pander to voters for short term political gain by interfering with this process.”

DEBBIE COOK

IRAQ

“I have signed on to the Responsible Plan to End the Iraq War ( www.responsibleplan.com), which is endorsed by more than 50 congressional candidates across the country. The plan lays out a sensible way to end the war and safely bring our soldiers home.”

IMMIGRATION

“America posts inconsistent signs at its borders, ‘Keep Out’ and ‘Help Wanted.’ No wonder we can’t agree on a policy. We need a rational, comprehensive plan that secures our borders and mandates verification of employee status with programs such as the E-Verify program.”

LOCAL ECONOMY

“The world is on the brink of a green revolution that will transform our transportation system, how we utilize land, and the way we provide goods and services. Policies that advance initiatives in energy efficiency, conservation, and green building, will help grow the demand for these new green jobs.”

FUEL PRICES

“As world oil demand outstrips production, prices will continue to rise—we cannot drill our way out of this crisis. But out of crisis comes opportunity. While the public and private sectors continue R&D; for scientific breakthroughs, Americans must significantly reduce their energy consumption to remain competitive in a world economy.”

DAN KALMICK

IRAQ

“We need the immediate termination of the United States’ involvement in the conflict in Iraq and a redirection of our energy to supporting the troops in Afghanistan. We need to withdraw while working with the neighboring countries, including Iran, to engage in helping stabilize Iraq.”

IMMIGRATION

“We need a policy that is both moral and far while at the same time stimulating our economy by allowing jobs to stay in America and for people in those jobs to pay taxes. We have a shortage of unskilled labor in this country and historically, first generation immigrants fill these jobs.”

LOCAL ECONOMY

“The housing crisis has affected the 46th CD drastically. FHA needs to crack down and regulate the mortgage industry because nothing has changed on the retail side; bad loans are still being made. We must help people stay in their homes. Green collar jobs are also going to help the district.”

FUEL PRICES

“Immediately provide loans and incentives for consumers to purchase highly fuel-efficient vehicles. Regulate the profit margin of the retail gasoline industry and cap profits for oil refiners. Also, immediately work to expand bus rapid transit on major arteries.”

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Proposition 98: Bars state and local governments from using eminent domain to take property for private uses. At the same time, it phases out rent control laws on apartments and mobile home parks throughout the state.

Proposition 99: Also bars state and local governments from using eminent domain to take property for private uses, but it doesn’t touch rent control.

If both pass, the proposition with the most votes would take precedence.